Below are a series of photos of Castels (catalan for castles), a tradition
of Catalonia,
taken during the Mercé festival 2008 on Plaza St Jaume.
Different districts (bario) such as Gracia, Sacrada Familia, Sants,
Poble Sec perform in turn.

Pillar by the Castellers de Gracia

Pillar by the Castellers de Barcelona

Castellers
de la Sacrada Familia, with the "enxaneta" (the last one)
raising his hand,
fingers apart, said to symbolize the stripes of the Catalan flag

Castellers
de Poble Sec
this "torre" (tower) has 3 persons per layer

Castellers de Barcelona
Castellers have the motto: "Strength, balance, courage and reason".

Castellers
de Gracia, with the "enxaneta" almost at the top

Sequence of building
a human tower, here with the Castellers de Sants.

Note that these photos
don't show the base level,
hidden by the crowd.

Below are the fireworks at Plaze de Espanya during the Mercé festival
(F2.8 / 1/8sec / 200 ISO)